While the Pittsburgh Steelers are watching the XFL and USFL for potential suitors for their roster this fall, many people realize that very few of these players will even make the 90-man training camp roster, as views keep dropping after Week 1. While there should be a buffer between the NFL and college football, there is a better alternative than these eight-team spring leagues. As opposed to these leagues, the NFL would greatly benefit from their own minor league in the fall, similar to AAA to the MLB, or G-League to the NBA.
Credit: Scott Grant
Devlin Hodges gets signed to the CFL
How Does A Minor League Affect The Steelers?
During the great quarterback disaster of 2019, the Steelers could have utilized a minor league to keep all of their remaining quarterbacks playing. Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges were on a carousel throughout the season with struggles and injuries. It would have been nice if Hodges was able to start the season on the potential minor league team to get him more ready for his debut, where he didn't play too badly. Even in 2020, when Hodges was on the practice squad, he could have gotten some reps in, just in case something like that happened again.
Some fans are irritated at Mike Tomlin hiring college coaches with little-to-no experience coaching at the NFL level. As opposed to hiring college coaches, he could hire his assistants from the minor league, either his own or others. With more coaches running teams, it could be easier for Tomlin to find one that other teams might overlook, and the minor league job is still a better one than a college job, so even if the coach isn't entirely pro-ready, he'll be more pro-ready than the college coaches that the Steelers hire.
Credit: Scott Pioli
Omar Khan speaks to participants at the HBCU Combine
In case of a major injury to someone, the Steelers could call someone up from their minor league team. TJ Watt has been injury prone as of late, and the Steelers have struggled to find depth. Instead of signing someone off the streets, the Steelers can call up a player that's been practicing and playing under the Steelers' system already. The same could be said for literally every other position.
But What About The Current Spring Leagues?
Yes, the XFL and USFL are both going strong, with not many signs of them folding again. However, it becomes a free-for-all for prospects once those leagues end, and there are slim pickings for any of the players that teams would want. In the world of a true NFL minor league, the Steelers could put the guys they draft/sign onto their team and develop them as they see fit. If someone wanted a player in their minor league, it would have to be via trade.
Credit: USA Today
Steelers cut Justin Layne in Roster Cutdowns
The Steelers have had their share of training camp stars that didn't make the final roster. Instead of cutting them, the Steelers could stash players like Diontae Spencer or Fred Johnson on their minor league team and call them up when needed. Justin Layne might have been able to develop somewhat if he was able to start on a lower-level team. There are infinite possibilities with a minor league.
I know that the NFL will never do this. That won't stop me from dying on this hill.
What do you think of a potential minor league, and how it can benefit the Steelers? Let us know in the comments below.
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